By rose85bud89 on 02/20/11 07:38 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan RS 4dr Sedan
Review
I just bought this car alittle over amonth ago. It is agreat car, but there is something wrong with the idel. When you drive it, its okay...but while you are stopped or in park it idels really high. There is also asmall piece that is on the car, that still works but there is some part broken where the hose is suppose to go, we think that might be the problem, but no one knows what this part is or called just something to do with the idel.
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By manolito on 09/26/09 16:21 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan LS 4dr Sedan
Review
I just bought this 15 exterior color combination with a toredown interior. This little car will get me to school for the next 8 months and I will have no major or minor repairs. Yes, I paid $650.00 for it and I drove 56 miles one way to get it.
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By paul on 05/05/08 06:32 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan RS 4dr Sedan
Review
I bought this little car last month, and I was pleased at the smooth idle and responsiveness of the engine (148,000 mi!) Runs well, handles well, and has decent gas mileage(28?). A couple of annoyances: the radio doesn't work, and the check engine light is on, and I have no turn signals. I think it will be a good car, though..I'm 6 feet tall and have plenty of room and it seats 4 fairly comfortably. I would not discourage someone from buying a kia, even an old one with a lot of miles.
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By silver on 04/17/08 16:22 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan LS 4dr Sedan
Review
This is my first car. I bought it used for $700 at about 70K miles. I made a mistake of not running the carfax report because the car was in an accident previously. When I bought it, the radio and interior sucked, the check engine light was on, it turned out to be a dead cylinder! It affected the O2 and MAF sensor that I have replaced 4 times already. I have also installed a rebuilt motor, catalytic converter, alternator, axles, wheel bearings, exhaust pipes, starter electrical switch, starter twice, belts and a host of other parts. I have put in about 8-9K into a car that cost me $700. I've been stranded 4 times and my engine has died on rough idle hundreds of times!
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By lorraine martin on 02/15/06 16:19 PM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan LS 4dr Sedan
Review
I have maintained car with oil changes, plugs, etc. New tires - maintenance on it since 1997. It now has 97,256 miles on it. Interior top window dash all bent upward from heat. Fan motor does not turn on to get heat or air - you cannot hear anything. Checking fuse. Has been reliable. The engine light has been on for some time but that has been temperamental. Mechanic checked - okay.
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By Ben Dare on 08/02/05 16:28 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan LS 4dr Sedan
Review
The sign in the Toyota dealership said, "You pay twice for poor quality. Once in repairs and again in resale." How true. This Kia really seemed like a great car. It was faster and felt more substantial than a Civic or Corolla, but that was when it was new. I've never had spark plug wires burn up, or disk disks warp, or dashboards completely rupture. The engine seems OK, but it coughs up oil frequently. All the emission control components have had to be replaced. Meanwhile, I've bought a 1992 Honda Civic which has twice the mileage (230,000) and is worth twice as much. So long Kia!
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By Red on 05/30/05 02:03 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan LS 4dr Sedan
Review
I bought my Kia with 6,800 miles on it, now I have over 115,000 on it. I have had no issues with the car; replaced plugs, wires, water pump, alternator, 2 sets of CV's on each side, but had no out of the ordinary things go wrong. I have driven it half way across country about 7 times. It has never failed me, never left me stranded. The more I drive it the better it gets. I heard all the bad things about the car, but I guess I got lucky.
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By E on 12/11/04 01:11 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan LS 4dr Sedan
Review
This was a great 2nd car and if I hadn't hurt it so badly it would have carried me all the way through college. It's peppy, moves when you ask it to. Is great for road tripping if you don't mind the lack of cruise control & got good gas milage. It did have it's problems but the car was overall, easy to own. It had smooth shifting and a quiet engine. It was easy to work on as long as you could find the parts. I feel like I got a great value for what I paid for the car.
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By spudpapa on 06/10/04 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan RS 4dr Sedan
Review
developed idling problem while under
warranty. When idling, it goes between
not enough and too much gas-runs fine
when moving, but dies at stop. I
increase idle speed to keep from dying.
the prob lasts few days-then goes away
a month-then back, etc. Dealer
replaced sensor 3 diff. times but only
lasted a few days, so I gave up. I
mostly put up with it. its a pleasure
to drive, handles well in mountains,
snow, curves, etc. It's now got over
150,000 miles, and still running
strong. no unexpected maintenance
(except Idle prob) never not started
or left me stranded. Interior shows
wear, but good for miles and use.
Certainly got my $7500 worth.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By A. Cook on 04/09/04 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Kia Sephia Sedan RS 4dr Sedan
Review
This car, for what it cost me and for
the way it was designed , wasnt a bad
buy.It is easy on gas and tires. The
front wheel drive is a god send in the
snow and ice. I have had some
problems with a sensor going out .
Expensive sensor, 310 $ plus labor !
The local dealer wasnt real helpful
fixing it and i had to take it to an
independent shop. They had it
diagnosed in 45 minutes, whereas the
dealer couldnt or wouldnt tell me what
was wrong with it in 3 seperate trips.
Go figure that !
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